The Haynesville Shale, a key natural gas play in the United States, is poised for significant growth in 2025 as new drilling technologies and infrastructure developments continue to enhance production efficiency. The Haynesville's abundant natural gas reserves are expected to play a critical role in meeting domestic and global energy demands, as well as rapidly growing energy demand from domestic AI data centers. The event’s opening keynote will provide both a macro perspective on the regional and domestic natural gas outlook, operational updates, and continued development potential. 
 

Under CEO Craig Jarchow's leadership, TG Natural Resources is positioning itself as a key player in the Haynesville Shale by focusing on efficient drilling and operational excellence to maximize natural gas production. With Jarchow's strategic vision, the company is prioritizing technological innovation and sustainability, aligning with the growing demand for cleaner energy solutions. As the Haynesville continues to grow in 2025, TG Natural Resources is poised to capitalize on its strong position and drive long-term value for regional stakeholders. In this operator spotlight, Jarchow will share insight into the company’s operations, development plans, and tech advancements. 
 

David C. Lawler was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Kimmeridge Texas Gas and Director of Commonwealth LNG in 2024 and is leading the charge in expanding the company’s footprint in the Haynesville Shale, focusing on natural gas production for LNG exports. Under Lawler's leadership, Kimmeridge Texas Gas aims to tap into the abundant gas reserves in the Haynesville to meet the growing global demand for LNG, positioning the company as a critical player in the U.S. energy export market. With plans to integrate production from the Haynesville into Commonwealth LNG’s export facilities, Lawler is working to streamline operations and capitalize on the shale’s potential to supply both domestic and international LNG markets in the coming years.
 

Gordon Huddleston, President & Partner of Aethon Energy, guides the U.S. energy-focused investment firm as it explores strategic options for its natural gas production and midstream assets. In this operator spotlight, Huddleston will provide a macro perspective on Haynesville Shale market dynamics, the role of the Haynesville and Western Haynesville in meeting demand growth, the impact of permit and regulatory reform, and the importance of continuing toward net-zero natural gas production. 

Alan Smith, Operating Partner at Quantum Capital Partners, highlights a growing trend in capital access within the Haynesville Shale, particularly from private equity and family offices seeking high-return opportunities in the energy sector. According to Smith, investors are increasingly drawn to the Haynesville's low breakeven costs and strong natural gas production potential, making it an attractive target for long-term capital deployment. As these investors look to capitalize on the region's growth, Smith notes a notable shift toward more strategic partnerships and joint ventures to leverage expertise and optimize returns in this evolving shale play.
 

Allen Fore, Vice President of Public Affairs at Kinder Morgan, emphasizes the company's commitment to expanding its midstream infrastructure in key regions like the Haynesville Shale to support growing natural gas production. As demand for transportation and storage capacity increases, Kinder Morgan focuses on enhancing its pipelines and other assets to ensure reliable delivery of natural gas to both domestic and international markets. Fore notes that Kinder Morgan's continued investments in the Haynesville will help meet the rising demand for energy while maintaining a focus on safety and environmental stewardship.
 

Charif Souki, one of the LNG industry’s early executive leaders, will share insights on the role of the Haynesville Shale in the U.S. LNG market, noting its growing importance in meeting both domestic and global energy demands. Souki emphasized that the Haynesville’s abundant natural gas reserves are key to supporting the nation’s LNG export capacity, positioning it as a critical player in global energy security. Looking ahead, he will highlight the need for continued investment in infrastructure and production to ensure Haynesville remains competitive as an LNG supplier amidst rising global demand.
 

The surge in demand for power driven by the rapid growth of AI and data centers is significantly impacting the oilfield sector, particularly in terms of natural gas consumption. As these technologies require vast amounts of electricity, the natural gas industry faces both opportunities and risks, with increased demand for natural gas fueling production but also heightening competition for energy resources. This session will look at balancing the need to meet the rising power demands of AI and data centers while ensuring the sustainability and efficiency of oilfield operations.
 

From an analyst's perspective, the Haynesville Shale stands out as one of the most consistent and reliable natural gas regions in the U.S., with its high production potential and low-cost operations making it an attractive area for investment. The shale’s proximity to key LNG export facilities positions it as a critical contributor to the growing global demand for cleaner energy, especially as the U.S. looks to expand its LNG exports. With multiple ongoing and planned projects aimed at enhancing pipeline infrastructure and gas processing capabilities, the Haynesville is poised to play a central role in the evolution of both regional natural gas production and the global LNG market.
 

This panel discussion featuring leading regional midstream operators will explore the region’s evolving midstream infrastructure needs as production continues to increase. Experts will highlight growth opportunities, particularly in expanding pipeline capacity and improving transportation networks to support both domestic and LNG export demands. The panel also will share insight on the challenges, including regulatory hurdles, environmental concerns, and the need for continued investment in sustainable technologies to keep pace with the growing energy demands from the Haynesville.
 

The next wave of mergers and acquisitions in the energy sector is expected to focus on consolidation among midstream and upstream companies, particularly in key shale plays like the Haynesville, as firms seek to optimize operations and reduce costs. Analysts anticipate that strategic M&A activity will increase as companies look to diversify portfolios, capitalize on synergies, and secure valuable assets in an increasingly competitive market. With increasing regional competition, strategic acquisitions are likely to drive further growth opportunities, especially for those with strong infrastructure and production capabilities.

With consolidation shrinking the number of operators in the Haynesville Shale, the ones that remain committed to the basin are charged with extending its production life, ensuring regional natural gas supply, and applying ever-improving well efficiencies. In this session, you’ll hear from a leading Haynesville Shale producer, who will share their insight into the natural gas production in the region, operational plans, and well design techniques.